Poema del Mar takes visitors on a journey through some of the planet's most fascinating aquatic ecosystems in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Jungles, tropical reefs, mangroves and the depths of the ocean unfold throughout
Poema del Mar Aquarium, an immersive attraction featuring more than 550 animal species and environments where water, nature and discovery take centre stage.
The aquarium brings together 35 marine and river ecosystems and more than nine million litres of water, connecting environments from the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans and the Red Sea with rivers, forests and other habitats shaped by water. Fish, sharks, rays, reptiles, amphibians and thousands of plant specimens create an experience built around remarkable biological diversity.
One of the aquarium's defining visual features is its enormous curved viewing window, covering more than 250 square metres and measuring 36 metres in length and seven metres in height. From this panoramic viewpoint, visitors can contemplate the world of the deep ocean as sharks, rays and schools of fish move through an expansive underwater environment.
Poema del Mar Aquarium in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Located in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, close to the city's port, Poema del Mar connects the Atlantic identity of the island with ecosystems from different regions of the world. Its location provides a particularly fitting setting for an experience where the ocean becomes the main narrative thread of the visit.
The aquarium is organised around three main environments: Jungle, Tropical and Deep Ocean. Each reveals a different side of biodiversity, taking visitors from freshwater and terrestrial habitats through colourful reefs before reaching darker, deeper marine environments. This transition between ecosystems gives the route a clear sense of progression.
Architecture and habitat design play an important part in the experience. Large viewing panels, vegetation, flowing water and changing lighting conditions allow animals to be observed from different perspectives. The result is an immersive visual journey that encourages visitors to slow down and notice movement, behaviour and detail.
The aquarium appeals to marine-life enthusiasts, families and travellers looking for a distinctive experience in Gran Canaria. By combining nature, interpretation and design, Poema del Mar offers an accessible introduction to biodiversity that does not require specialist knowledge.
Three worlds: Jungle, Tropical and Deep Ocean
The structure of Poema del Mar reveals water as the common element connecting environments that may initially appear completely different. The route begins among freshwater and terrestrial habitats, moves towards tropical seas and reefs and eventually reaches the depths of the ocean. This journey shaped by water makes it easier to understand the connections between distant ecosystems.
The Jungle environment introduces rivers, plants and humid landscapes. Here, vegetation and animal life share the stage, showing how freshwater shapes entire communities of living organisms. The presence of river ecosystems and tropical vegetation gives the visit a particularly organic beginning.
The Tropical environment shifts the focus towards reefs, mangroves and brightly lit waters. Colour becomes a defining element as coral, fish and other marine organisms fill the displays. This area highlights the richness of tropical seas and the complexity of ecosystems supporting many different forms of life.
Deep Ocean changes the atmosphere again through darker surroundings, larger habitats and imposing marine species. Sharks and rays move through wide volumes of water, creating a very different sense of scale. The vastness of the underwater world becomes the defining feature of one of the aquarium's most striking environments.
The Jungle: rivers, plants and freshwater ecosystems
The Jungle area begins the journey by highlighting the close relationship between freshwater and terrestrial life. Rivers, vegetation and animals adapted to humid environments form a setting in which every element depends on the balance of the whole. This connection between freshwater and biodiversity demonstrates that the story of the ocean begins far inland.
Plant life has an important role throughout Poema del Mar. More than 2,000 plant specimens from regions including Africa, Australia and Asia are incorporated into different environments. This botanical diversity expands the aquarium's story beyond marine animals and reinforces a more complete understanding of natural ecosystems.
Reptiles and amphibians also appear within environments linked to humidity, water availability and specific temperatures. Their presence introduces adaptations very different from those of fish and other marine organisms. This variety of life forms shows how biodiversity extends across both aquatic and terrestrial habitats.
Flowing water, vegetation and changing light create an atmosphere that encourages gradual exploration. Smaller details can be observed before the route moves towards dramatically different environments. This sense of progressive discovery helps the aquarium feel like a continuous journey rather than a sequence of unrelated displays.
The Tropical zone: reefs, mangroves and marine life
The Tropical area introduces a brighter underwater world defined by colour and movement. Coral reefs, tropical fish and other marine organisms form visually rich environments where numerous species coexist. The biodiversity of coral reefs illustrates how an apparently compact habitat can support an extraordinary range of life.
A large glass cylinder provides multiple perspectives on reef life as fish move continuously through the water. Changing angles and vibrant colours make the tropical reef experience one of the most dynamic elements of this part of the route.
Mangroves reveal a different type of coastal ecosystem. Their roots create shelter and nursery areas for numerous species while linking land and sea. These habitats illustrate the ecological importance of mangroves and the essential role they play within tropical coastal systems.
Jellyfish and seahorses bring completely different forms of movement into the experience. Their slower rhythms and unusual anatomies contrast with the speed of many reef fish. The variety of marine adaptations becomes particularly clear when such different organisms are observed within the same section.
The Red Sea, atolls, tropical beaches and other environments further expand this view of warm-water ecosystems. Each space reveals another way in which marine life adapts to local conditions. This range of tropical habitats helps visitors appreciate that there is no single model of a tropical ocean ecosystem.
Deep Ocean: sharks, rays and large marine species
Entering Deep Ocean transforms the atmosphere of the visit. The scale becomes larger, the light becomes more subdued and major marine animals take on a stronger presence. This deep-sea atmosphere creates a dramatic contrast with the bright colours of the Tropical environment.
Sharks, rays, octopuses and many different fish can be observed within this section. Their movements reveal very different strategies for navigating the marine environment. The diversity of the deep ocean is expressed not only through species numbers but also through scale, shape and behaviour.
The huge curved viewing window is the visual centrepiece of the area. Its dimensions allow visitors to take in a broad underwater panorama without focusing on a single species. Schools of fish, sharks and rays can appear at different depths, creating an expansive view of marine life that changes continuously.
With more than 250 square metres of surface area, a length of 36 metres and a height of seven metres, the curved window is remarkable for its scale. Its shape broadens the field of view and reinforces the feeling of looking into an open ocean rather than a conventional aquarium display.
Deep Ocean also includes environments inspired by submarine canyons, moray eel caves, cold-water corals and other features associated with deeper waters. These areas demonstrate that the sea floor contains considerable geological and biological variety. The complexity of deep-sea ecosystems becomes clearer as visitors move through the zone.
More than 550 animal species at Poema del Mar
Animal diversity is one of the foundations of the aquarium experience. More than 550 species represent regions including the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans and the Red Sea. This journey through global biodiversity allows visitors to compare ecosystems while recognising the wider connections between them.
Fish are central to the route, but they are far from the only animals represented. Reptiles, amphibians and other species broaden the experience and illustrate how water, climate and land environments interact. The range of animal life gives visitors a more complete picture of the ecosystems explored throughout the aquarium.
Sharks often command particular attention because of their size, hydrodynamic form and ecological role. Watching them move through large bodies of water offers a perspective that differs significantly from seeing them in photographs or films. The observation of major marine predators creates one of the most memorable experiences of the visit.
Rays provide a visual contrast through their distinctive movement, while octopuses stand out for their anatomy and behaviour. Each group reveals another solution to life underwater. This adaptation to aquatic environments becomes one of the recurring themes of the journey.
Species associated with the Canary Islands also appear within the aquarium. Octopuses, starfish, gobies and other animals found around intertidal environments provide a connection with the surrounding archipelago. This link to Canary Islands marine life gives local relevance to an experience that also explores ecosystems from around the world.
An immersive experience built around water
Poema del Mar does not present its animals simply as isolated species. Instead, the route is organised around habitats where lighting, vegetation, water volume and architecture provide environmental context. This ecosystem-based approach helps visitors understand the relationship between animals and the places they inhabit.
Water remains the common thread from beginning to end. It appears as rivers, lagoons, mangroves, reefs, open seas and deep ocean environments while linking every part of the aquarium. This constant presence of water reinforces its essential importance to life across the planet.
Changes in scale are equally important. Some displays encourage close observation of small organisms, while others open into enormous aquatic panoramas. The contrast between close-up encounters and panoramic views keeps the experience varied and creates different rhythms throughout the visit.
Quieter spaces and the continuous movement of marine life also encourage contemplation. Not every memorable moment depends on scale: the movement of a jellyfish, the behaviour of an octopus or a school of fish changing direction can create a genuine connection with the natural world.
Poema del Mar for children and families
For families, the aquarium provides an accessible way to explore ideas related to oceans, rivers, ecosystems and animal life. Direct observation turns abstract concepts into visible experiences and makes them easier to discuss. Learning through observation can encourage an early interest in biology and nature.
The changes between Jungle, Tropical and Deep Ocean environments maintain curiosity throughout the route. Each area introduces new colours, species and scales, giving different members of the family their own favourite moments. This variety of environments makes the experience especially suitable for visitors of different ages.
Tropical fish, sharks, rays, jellyfish, reptiles and amphibians can inspire questions about habitats, feeding, adaptation and conservation. The natural curiosity inspired by animals therefore becomes an introduction to broader ideas about biodiversity.
The route also allows visitors to control their own pace. Some spaces can be explored quickly, while large viewing areas encourage longer periods of observation. This flexible family experience makes it possible to enjoy the aquarium according to individual interests.
Biodiversity, education and marine conservation
Seeing such different ecosystems together makes the variety of life dependent on water immediately visible. Reefs, mangroves, rivers and deep-sea environments function in very different ways but all rely on complex ecological balances. The protection of biodiversity becomes easier to understand when those relationships can be observed directly.
Coral reefs are a particularly powerful example. Their remarkable abundance of species exists alongside sensitivity to environmental change, making them important places for thinking about the health of the oceans. The importance of marine ecosystems therefore emerges naturally from the visual experience.
Mangroves extend that perspective to the connection between coastlines and seas. Their root systems provide shelter for many species and demonstrate how marine environments can depend on processes taking place on land. This connection between ecosystems encourages a less fragmented understanding of nature.
The presence of animals associated with the Canary Islands also adds a local dimension. Encountering species connected with the archipelago's coastal environments creates a link between the aquarium and the Atlantic Ocean surrounding Gran Canaria. This connection with the local marine environment gives additional meaning to the visit.
Poema del Mar as an experience in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
The aquarium's location makes it easy to combine with a wider day in the capital of Gran Canaria. Its setting beside the port creates a natural continuity between the ocean outside and the ecosystems represented inside. This connection with Las Palmas de Gran Canaria gives the experience a clear sense of place.
For travellers exploring the island, the aquarium offers a complement to beaches, volcanic landscapes and outdoor activities. It provides another way to engage with nature while encountering species from distant parts of the world. Leisure in Gran Canaria gains an experience centred on biodiversity and environmental discovery.
For local visitors, the constantly moving animals mean that each visit can reveal different details or behaviours. Large aquatic environments are never completely static, giving familiar spaces a changing character. This ever-changing observation experience is part of the appeal of returning to an aquarium of this scale.
The combination of tropical habitats, marine life and expansive viewing areas creates a day that moves naturally between surprise and contemplation. Rather than simply displaying animals, Poema del Mar builds a visual journey through the world's ecosystems in the heart of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
A journey from the jungle to the depths of the ocean
A memory of Poema del Mar might be defined by the silent movement of a shark, the colour of a coral reef, the shape of a jellyfish or the immense scale of the Deep Ocean window. Each environment creates a different emotion, connected by a shared fascination with aquatic life.
The transition from rivers and jungles to tropical seas and deep water illustrates the diversity of the planet and the dependence of all these environments on water. This connected view of nature gives the aquarium experience meaning beyond the observation of individual species.
With more than 550 animal species, thousands of plant specimens and millions of litres of water, Poema del Mar creates a setting in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria where observation, knowledge and emotion meet. The majesty of the underwater world becomes an invitation to look more closely at the extraordinary diversity of life on Earth.
Useful info about Poema del Mar
What is Poema del Mar?
Poema del Mar is an aquarium in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria featuring more than 550 animal species and 35 marine and river ecosystems organised around three main environments: Jungle, Tropical and Deep Ocean.
What animals can you see at Poema del Mar?
Visitors can encounter sharks, rays, octopuses, tropical fish, jellyfish, seahorses, reptiles, amphibians and many other species from different ecosystems around the world.
What is the Poema del Mar experience like?
The visit follows an immersive route from freshwater and jungle environments to tropical reefs and the deep ocean, combining large aquariums, vegetation and panoramic viewing areas.
Where is Poema del Mar?
Poema del Mar is located in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, close to the city's port.
Is Poema del Mar suitable for families?
Yes. Its variety of animals, immersive environments and viewing areas provides an accessible way for visitors of different ages to explore aquatic biodiversity.
Where can I buy official tickets for Poema del Mar?
Available options for purchasing official Poema del Mar tickets can be found at entradas.com.
